Forgiveness is a central component of love. How do we forgive?
We may start by not judging other people. It is natural for people to judge
others, but Jesus said, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye,
but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3) The problem is
that our judgments are always scandalous; we rarely see our own faults, and when
we accuse other people they defensively avoid seeing their own misdeeds.
Consequently, judgments nearly always evoke resentment and hostility, which lead
to violence.

Jesus taught that God makes the sun shine on good and bad
alike. God does not participate in our judgments. Indeed, Jesus asked God to
forgive those responsible for murdering him “because they know not what they
do.” Similarly, as the murderous mob descended upon St. Stephen, “Then he knelt
down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord do not hold this sin against them.’”
(Acts 7:60) It is critical to note that Stephen articulated the sin against him,
but he asked God not to judge the sinners harshly. Refusing to judge people as
evil or worthy or punishment is different from discerning right from wrong.

The theme that we should avoid judging other people helps
explain the paradoxical parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The third
servant has judged his master to be harsh, and consequently the third servant is
judged accordingly. Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the
judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the
measure you get.” (Matthew 7:1-2) In other words, when we judge other people, we
are liable to similar judgment. The reciprocal accusations impede reconciliation
and in fact tend to escalate hostilities. Indeed, if our words and/or actions
show condemnation of meat-eaters, they will react defensively and refuse to hear
our pleas for mercy. On the other hand, when we condemn modern animal
agricultural institutions and point out that the general public, when buying its
products, promotes these institutions, we are not attacking individuals,
pointing fingers, or assuming a “holier than thou” posture.

Not only does being judgmental impair community-building, it
is often based on false premises. By condemning others, we absolve ourselves of
our own contributions to conflict and misery. This is the essence of
scapegoating – judging someone as guilty and punishing accordingly. The
scapegoat, as I’ve said previously, is generally not completely innocent.
Rather, the scapegoat is almost always far less guilty than the scapegoating mob
believes. The mob is united in a common conviction that they are all innocent,
because they have attributed all guilt to the scapegoat.

For example, many people believe in demonic possession, and
frequently the mob believes that the scapegoat has been possessed by demons or
“the devil,” who has sown conflict and misery. Once the possessed person has
been destroyed, they believe that peace and tranquility will return, and indeed
this usually happens because they are united in their participation in the
scapegoating mechanism. Analogously, we are quick to judge and punish a thief,
and indeed the thief has done wrong. But, doesn’t theft often reflect unjust
social, political, and economic relationships? By judging the thief evil, we
absolve ourselves of our contribution to the illegal act.

Next week, we will continue this discussion on forgiveness
with reflections on that part of the Lord’s Prayer in which Jesus said, “Forgive
us our debts.”